Yoga force exercise mat with built in carry straps and wallet

ABSTRACT

An exercise mat includes two side edges having the same length, a top edge having a first length and a bottom edge having a second length, wherein the first length of the top edge is greater than the second length of the bottom edge, such that the exercise mat is shaped to correspond to a natural shape of a user, wherein the user&#39;s head and torso are supported near the top edge of the exercise mat and the user&#39;s legs and feet are supported near the bottom edge.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an exercise mat, and moreparticularly to an exercise mat that is ergonomically configured tooptimize a user's position and form.

Exercise mats are generally placed on a floor to cushion a user's bodyfrom the hardness of the floor's surface. Such mats are commonly used bythose who practice yoga, Pilates and other body strength buildingexercises performed on a flat, hard surface, e.g., the floor.

Typically, an exercise mat, e.g., a yoga mat, its designed to be used bya single user. Accordingly, the mat's size is designed to accommodate auser's shape and size without taking up too much floor space. Theconventional yoga mat is rectangular in shape, where the length of thelong sides correspond approximately to an average person's height andthe length of the short sides correspond approximately to an averageperson's shoulder width. The mat is also thin so that it can be rolledup and carried by the user.

The conventional yoga mat is deficient in several aspects. First, theshape and size of the mat is highly inefficient and does not take intoconsideration the user's body shape or the purpose for which the user isusing the mat. Furthermore, when rolled up, the mat is cumbersome tocarry unless the user provides an additional carrying apparatus, such asa tote bag or carrying case, that is large enough to enclose the rolledup mat.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have an exercise mat that accommodatesthe user's shape and size, while minimizing the mat's footprint. Inaddition, it is desirable for an exercise mat to be easily transportablewithout extra bags and/or accessories.

SUMMARY

An exercise mat includes two side edges having the same length, a topedge having a first length and a bottom edge having a second length. Thefirst length of the top edge is greater than the second length of thebottom edge such that the exercise mat is tapered to correspond to anatural shape of a user. During use, the user's head and torso aresupported near the top edge of the exercise mat and the user's legs andfeet are supported near the bottom edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These features, aspects and advantages of the present invention willbecome better understood with regard to the following description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings, which illustrate examples ofthe invention. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that each of thefeatures can be used in the invention in general, not merely in thecontext of the particular drawings, and the invention includes anycombination of these features, where:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exercise mat according to one version of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an exercise mat, and moreparticularly to an exercise mat that is ergonomically shaped to optimizea user's position and form. The following description is presented toenable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventionand is provided in the context of a patent application and itsrequirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and thegeneric principles and features described herein will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accordedthe widest scope consistent with the principles and features describedherein.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exercise mat according to one version of thepresent invention. The exercise mat 10 comprises two longitudinal edges16 that are equal in length and a top edge 14 and a bottom edge 12. In apreferred embodiment, the top edge 14 is longer in length than thebottom edge 12 such that the mat 10 is a tapered trapozoid. This shapecorresponds to a user's natural body shape—i.e., broad at theshoulders/torso and narrow at the feet. By tapering the mat 10 accordingto the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user's head andtorso are fully supported near the tip edge 14 of the mat 10 and theuser's legs and feet are supported near the bottom edge 12.

Simultaneously, the mat's 10 footprint, i.e., the floor space itoccupies, is optimized. The conventional yoga mat is rectangular inshape, having a width of 24 inches. In contrast, in a preferredembodiment of the present invention, the mat's top edge 14 comprises alength ranging from 28 inches to 32 inches and preferably is 29 inches.The bottom edge 12 comprises a length ranging from 18 inches to 22inches, and preferably is 21 inches. Because the size and shape of themat 10 of the present invention is optimized, more practitioners canparticipate in an exercise session.

In a preferred embodiment, the mat 10 is constructed from a flexible,wear-resistant material. The surface of the mat 10 is treated so thatwhen the mat 10 is placed on a smooth surface, such as an exercisefloor, the mat 10 stays in place, i.e., does not slide.

The mat 10 also preferably includes a plurality of alignment stripes 30,32. The alignment stripes include at least one vertical stripe 32 and atleast one horizontal stripe 30 that form an alignment grid on thesurface of the mat 10 facing the user. The alignment grid can help theuser to achieve proper body alignment during the exercise session, andcan also help an instructor explain where to place one's body for aparticular Yoga pose or Pilates position or Floor Exercise position.

In a preferred embodiment, the alignment grid comprises one verticalstripe 32 that bisects, i.e., runs down the center of, the mat 10, andthree horizontal stripes 30 that intersect the vertical stripe 32 atpoints equidistance from one another. Accordingly, in this embodiment,the horizontal stripes 30 divide the mat 10 into four (4) sections. Thisembodiment is particularly well suited for performing Yoga poses andPilates positions, which require precise balancing and positioning.

In another preferred embodiment, the mat 10 comprises an integratedcarrying harness that allows the user to carry the mat 10 more easilywhen the mat 10 is in a contracted, i.e., rolled up or folded, position.The carrying harness includes at least one carrying strap 18 that iscoupled to either the top 14 or bottom 12 edge of the mat 10.

The carrying harness can also include at least one securing lace 22coupled to the exercise mat 10 at either the top 14 or bottom 12 edge.If the carrying strap 18 and securing lace 22 are used simultaneously,the securing lace 22 is located at the same edge to which the carryingstrap 18 is attached. The securing lace 22 holds the mat 10 in thecontracted position when the mat 10 is not in use. In one preferredembodiment, the at least one securing lace 22 can be a Velcro strip,while in another preferred embodiment, the at least one securing lace 22can include a connecting buckle

The carrying harness can also include a removable container 20, e.g., awallet, for holding the user's personal items, e.g., identification andkeys. The removable container 20 can be removeably coupled to thecarrying strap 18 via a Velcro strap or some other well knownnon-permanent attachment assembly, e.g., a button, a snap, etc

The exercise mat 10 of the present invention is shaped to correspond tothe natural shape of the human body. In particular, the mat 10 istapered from its top edge 14 to its bottom edge 12. The tapered shapeallows optimal cushioning for the user's body and minimizes the mat'sfootprint thereby conserving space. The exercise mat 10 also includes anintegrated carrying system comprising carrying straps 18, securing laces22 and a detachable container 20 for holding the user's personal items.

The present invention has been described in accordance with theembodiments shown, and one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations to the embodiments, and anyvariations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. An exercise mat comprising: (a) two side edges havingthe same length, each of the two side edges having a top end and anopposing bottom end; (b) a top edge having a first length, wherein thetop edge is connected to the top ends of the two side edges; and (c) abottom edge having a second length, wherein the bottom edge is connectedto the bottom ends of the two side edges, wherein the first length ofthe top edge is greater than the second length of the bottom edge, suchthat the exercise mat is shaped to correspond to a natural shape of auser, wherein the user's head and torso are supported near the top edgeof the exercise mat and the user's legs and feet are supported near thebottom edge.
 9. An exercise mat according to claim 8 further comprisinga top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the user contacts the topsurface and the bottom surface contacts a floor.
 10. An exercise mataccording to claim 9 wherein the top surface comprises a plurality ofalignment stripes, wherein one of the plurality of alignment stripes isa vertical stripe that bisects the top surface of the exercise mat intotwo equal portions.
 11. An exercise mat according to claim 10 where atleast one of the plurality of alignment stripes is a horizontal stripe.12. An exercise mat according to claim 8 further comprising anintegrated carrying harness for transporting or storing the exercise matwhen the mat is in a contracted position.
 13. An exercise mat accordingto claim 12 wherein the carrying harness comprises at least one carryingstrap coupled to the exercise mat at either the top edge or the bottomedge.
 14. An exercise mat according to claim 12 wherein the carryingharness comprises at least one securing lace coupled to the exercise matat either the top edge or the bottom edge for holding the exercise matin a contracted position when the mat is not in use.
 15. An exercise mataccording to claim 14 wherein the at least one securing lace comprises avelcro strip
 16. An exerciser mat according to claim 12 wherein thecarrying harness further comprises a removable container for storing theuser's personal items.
 17. An exercise mat comprising: (a) two sideedges having the same length, each of the two side edges having a topend and an opposing bottom end; (b) a top edge having a first length,wherein the top edge is connected to the top ends of the two side edges;and (c) a bottom edge having a second length, wherein the bottom edge isconnected to the bottom ends of the two side edges, wherein the firstlength of the top edge is greater than the second length of the bottomedge; and (d) an integrated carrying harness for transporting or storingthe exercise mat when the mat is in a contracted position, the carryingharness comprising at least one carrying strap coupled to the exercisemat at either the top edge or the bottom edge, at least one securinglace for holding the exercise mat in the contracted position when themat is not in use, and a removable container for storing the user'spersonal items.
 18. An exercise mat according to claim 17 wherein the atleast one securing lace is a Velcro strip.